Chapter Four

H atch's lips touched hers again. Soft. Grazing.

Tempting . . .

Evie wrapped her arms about his waist, stepping into him, their bodies touching, his scent and warmth enveloping her. His lips teased, placing soft kisses against hers. Then his tongue came into play, totally shocking her sensibilities. He ran its tip over her lips ever so slowly, outlining her mouth, causing her to tremble.

Need for more swept through her. Without thinking, her tongue began to mimic what he had done, causing a sharp intake of breath from him. Then his mouth covered hers, and she could feel his smile. His tongue lazily glided back and forth across the seam of her mouth, urging her to open to him.

So she did.

Now, it was Evie's turn to gasp as Hatch's tongue swept into her mouth. Tasting. Taking. Nudging. The kiss deepened, her senses out of control. Her knees weakened, and she clung to him. Slowly, he possessed her. Body. Mind. Soul.

And she wanted even more . . .

He broke the kiss, and she mewled a protest, only to have his lips blaze a trail down her throat. Hatch stopped where her pulse beat wildly out of control, nipping the skin, bringing a deep yearning. He nipped again, then his tongue soothed the spot. His mouth returned to hers, his teeth sinking into her lower lip, causing a burst of flames inside her. Evie moaned. Afraid he would stop. Afraid he wouldn't.

His mouth descended upon hers again, hot, demanding, insistent. Their tongues warred playfully, and she sighed. Her breasts seemed to rise, and his palm went to one, kneading it, causing her to sigh.

Somehow, he maneuvered her, and they were sitting. Rather, Hatch was sitting in a dilapidated chair and Evie was in his lap. His fingertips brushed the swell of her breast and then freed it from her bodice. His mouth fixed upon it, sucking hard, making her core pulse out of control. Hot need filled her. Her nails bit into his shoulders, her head tossed back as his tongue toyed with her nipple. She began panting with urgency. Needing relief.

His lips returned to hers, the kisses long and drugging, even as his hand massaged her breast. Then it moved lower, coming to rest upon her thigh. It glided back and forth, coming perilously close to her womanhood. She shouldn't want his hand there.

But she did.

A moan escaped her, and Hatch broke the kiss. His clear eyes pinned hers.

"I'm going to touch you where no man ever has. You will respond like you never have."

"I will like it?" she asked hesitantly.

He grinned. "You will love it," he assured her.

His fingers tickled her ankle, slipping under her gown and up her calf, moving sensually. They traveled higher and though she knew their destination, Evie couldn't quite comprehend it.

Hatch moved her slightly on his lap, giving him better access to her. Suddenly, his scorching touch reached her most private place, which pulsed violently. He ran a finger along the seam of her sex, and Evie whimpered.

Those fingers danced. Stroked. Pushed inside her. Curled in an intimate caress which threatened to devastate her. Her breath quickened. Her senses came alive. Anticipation flooded her.

Then she shattered in his arms, calling his name, half-crying, half-laughing as her body went to unchartered territory. The waves of pleasure overcame her, and her body was no longer her own.

It was his.

And always would be.

Instinctively, Evie knew no man could make her feel the way Hatch did. Yet guilt raced through her. This was how her husband was to touch her. Or a lover, once she had provided the required heir. Of course, with Elias not possessing a title, he didn't even need an heir. Still, she had made clear to him that she wanted children, and he had agreed to give them to her.

The thought of Elias touching her so intimately almost made her ill. He was her betrothed, however. She had already betrayed him and couldn't allow things to go any further with Hatch.

Quickly, Evie scrambled from his lap, her breath coming in short spurts. She wrapped her arms about her, wishing to protect herself from further wrongdoing.

He rose, his gaze steady. "Evie?" he asked huskily, making her want him all over.

"I am engaged, Your Grace," she said shakily. "To your brother. What we did was wrong. It cannot happen again." She looked at him pleadingly. "Please. Say it won't."

He held his hands open to her. "How can I agree to give up the very thing I need to live?" he asked. "I love you, Evie. I have from the time we were children."

"What? Why did you never say anything?"

Stepping toward her, he cupped her face in his hands, making her feel cherished.

"I could not tell you before. You were so young, and I was afraid sharing my feelings would frighten you."

Anger simmered within her. "Then you should have spoken up before you left for war."

"Perhaps. But I was afraid I would not come back." He gazed down at her. "How could I tell you I loved you? That I wished for you to wait for me to return—when I wasn't certain that I would."

He brushed his lips softly against hers. "You were young. Too young. It would have been wrong of me to ask you to keep from making your come-out. You needed the chance to live. To grow. To be free. To become... you."

Anguish filled her. "If I had known of your feelings..." Her voice trailed off.

"They would have frightened you. Or you would have laughed. I recall our last conversation before I left for the Continent. You were quite adamant about not believing in love."

"I... I still don't know if I do," she said.

Hatch kissed her nose. "Ah, that is my stubborn Evie."

Though she wanted to push him away, she was afraid she might die without his touch. His kiss. And so Evie's hand clasped his nape, drawing his mouth to hers.

They kissed a long time, each kiss heartfelt. Deep. Sensual. Loving.

Could she really be in love with Hatch?

She ended the kiss. "Why do you love me?"

He shrugged. "What's not to love? You're clever. Brave. Interesting. Amusing. Charming. Full of spirit. How could I not love you, Evie?"

"No one has truly loved me," she said quietly. "Well, David, I suppose. Papa blithely ignores me because I am a female. Mama has always been absorbed in herself. I met many gentlemen these past three Seasons, Hatch. They have wooed me. Kissed me. Yet none ever made me feel the way you do. I am trying to understand all this."

"Perhaps you love me and didn't even know you did," he suggested.

"I don't know!" she cried, frustration spilling from her. "How can I know what love is? I'm so confused. You seem so certain. Why don't I feel the same?"

"Then you must think on things," he encouraged. "You are also quite practical, Evie. It might be harder for a practical person to fall in love."

Not knowing how to ask him, she blurted out, "Do men and women... do they do together what we just did? Would a husband and wife do such a thing?"

He smiled. "That. And more," he said enigmatically.

"I have never felt inside the way I did when any man kissed me," she admitted. "Kissing you was very different."

His brow creased. "What of when Elias has kissed you?"

She snorted. "Elias has never kissed me. Well, one brief kiss, which was barely a kiss at all."

"What?" His shock was evident. "Then why did he offer for you without having kissed you?"

Sheepishly, Evie said, "Actually, I proposed to him."

Hatch roared with laughter. "Why on earth did you do so?"

Wringing her hands, she told him, "After three Seasons, my parents were growing frustrated with me. I discovered I am not one for town. I decided to take control of my fate and choose my own husband."

"Aha! Someone you could manipulate into doing your bidding?"

"Yes," she admitted. "Elias prefers town and his crowd. Most couples go their separate ways in a marriage. At least Elias is known to me. We like one another. I would never be far from home. He promised to give me children. I told him he could remain in town for the most part. We are comfortable with one another. It would work." She paused and corrected herself. "It will work."

His eyes narrowed. "How do you think it will work, Evie? Elias living across the country. You, living in close quarters with me. Knowing I love you and would do anything for you." His eyes darkened with desire. "Knowing I will do anything to you—and that you cannot resist."

She bit her lip. "You and I were supposed to remain friends. You are the one who has ruined things, Hatch. I was going to have a pleasant life in the country. Do as I wish." She paused. "Now, I won't be able to stay at Davenport Hall. I will be forced to live in town. Unless you would grant Elias leave for us to live at another of your ducal properties."

He clasped her elbows. "No, Evie. You will not wed Elias. He is not the man for you. I am that man. Even if you do not love me, I know you like me." His wicked grin caused her breath to hitch. "And you like what I do to your body."

Exasperation filled her. "How can I break my promise to Elias?"

He yanked her to him, pinning her against his muscular chest. "You will wed only me, Evie. Whether you love me or not. Because I am the one who can make you happy. I make your pulse jump. Your body shiver in anticipation. I will plant my seed within you and give you the children you desire. The life you want is what you will have. As my duchess."

Evie slapped him.

She regretted it immediately, but did not apologize. Instead, she marched from the cottage and untangled Starlight's reins, pushing herself into the saddle and riding away in the rain. From what had happened between them. From the guilt and remorse that filled her.

And from the hot desire that she now knew was so addictive.